SterliTECH Tip: Membrane Substitution

Membrane filters can be defined as a microporous film that serves as a barrier, allowing the flow of fluids or gasses while preventing the passage of particles and microorganisms. These filters have specific ratings for their pore sizes which is vital to keep the microorganisms or particles which are bigger than the size of their pores through the process of surface capture. Membrane filtration utilizes pressure in order to force water or any other kind of carrier (fluid or gas) through a porous or semi-permeable membrane. This process separates the particulate matter that's suspended from the soluble and carrier components.

Membrane selection is critical to successfully achieving desired filtration goals,  and should be influenced by the nature of the sample to filter, membrane chemical compatibility, maximum pore size requirement and the filtration goals itself. A variety of membrane materials and structures are available on the market, including natural polymers and their derivatives (mixed cellulose esters, cellulose triacetate), tailored synthetic polymers (polysulfone, polyamides, etc.), ceramic, glass fiber and metallic membranes.

Sterlitech offers the largest selection of unique membrane filters for routine and novel applications. You can narrow down the choices by starting with our Membrane Selection Guide.  Keep in mind there may be more than one membrane compatible with your application, which can be helpful if a substitution is necessary. 

You can also refer to the quick reference table below. 

Still have questions? Ask an Expert to learn more about how our membranes can solve your filtration challenges.